The Birth of an Heir

The Olympus Imperial Villa was in turmoil.

Aria sat in Helios's study, reviewing a document detailing the latest wave of refugees. The steady murmur of activity beyond the door had been a constant since morning, but now, a sudden commotion broke through the usual hum of palace life. Servants rushed past, their hurried steps echoing through the corridors, voices overlapping in urgent whispers.

Aria's attention drifted from the parchment in her hands. She turned toward the door just as two ladies-in-waiting entered, their faces pale with distress.

"Your Highness, Princess Luciana has arrived—unexpectedly," one of them reported breathlessly. "The entire imperial household is in disarray."

Aria stiffened, her pulse quickening.

"Sister Luciana? Impossible…"

Doubt warred with hope as she rose to her feet. "Take me to her," she commanded, her voice steady despite the apprehension tightening her chest.

The maids hurried ahead, guiding her through the twisting halls of the estate. Aria's pace quickened with each step, her heart hammering. Anxiety coiled inside her, its grip tightening as a thought took root.

"Could it truly be Sister Luci?"

Her stride turned into a run. The ladies-in-waiting struggled to keep pace as she weaved through the corridors and across the courtyard, her silken skirts billowing behind her. As she neared the main residential building, she found a gathering of attendants blocking the entrance.

Pushing past them, she was met with a sight that sent ice through her veins.

Leila and Aurora were supporting Luciana, their arms wrapped tightly around her as they hurried toward the private chambers. Luciana's normally poised form was trembling, her breaths ragged, her face contorted in pain.

"Hold on, Your Imperial Highness!" one of the maids cried.

"She's in labor—her water has already broken! We must move quickly!" another servant called urgently.

Luciana let out a choked gasp, her body shuddering as another wave of pain tore through her.

Aria didn't hesitate. "What are you all standing here for? Prepare the birthing chamber at once!" she ordered sharply. "Summon a midwife—anyone with experience! Go!"

The attendants scattered, rushing to carry out her commands.

Aria turned back to Luciana, heart clenched at the sight of her sister—so fragile, teetering on the precipice between life and death.

"Sister, hold on," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Luciana's gaze flickered to hers, finding brief solace in her presence.

Drawing on strength she hadn't realized she possessed, Aria braced herself and carefully lifted Luciana into her arms. Despite her slender frame, she managed to carry her sister into the nearest private chamber, laying her gently upon the prepared bedding.

Aurora stepped forward, directing the remaining attendants. "The rest of you, leave. Only the necessary servants and the midwife are to remain."

The room emptied swiftly, leaving only those trained to assist.

"Where is the midwife?" Aurora demanded, tension lacing her words.

Before anyone could answer, another piercing scream from Luciana shattered the tense silence.

Leila hovered nearby, visibly shaken. The woman she had once aided in escaping from Wahrheit was not only the Crown Princess of Amanécer but also pregnant—and on the verge of giving birth. Nothing in the carefully laid plans had accounted for this. But there was no time to dwell on uncertainties. Right now, Luciana's survival was the only thing that mattered.

A servant rushed into the room. "The midwife has arrived!"

Aria turned sharply. To her surprise, the woman standing in the doorway was the very same midwife who had delivered Apollonia aboard the ship.

"She claims to have aided countless women through childbirth," Aria's lady-in-waiting informed her.

The midwife, heedless of rank or title, moved past them all and knelt beside Luciana, her experienced hands pressing gently against the swollen curve of her belly.

A beat of silence.

Then, the midwife's expression shifted, her features tightening with grave concern.

"Oh, great Lord…" she whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible.

Aurora's stomach twisted. "What is it?"

"The baby… is in the wrong position." The midwife's tone carried the weight of grim knowledge.

Aurora went pale. "Can nothing be done?"

"The delivery will be difficult. We can only hope. It may take a full day… perhaps longer."

Her words were cut short as Luciana let out a desperate, anguished cry.

Aurora rushed to her niece's side, grasping her hand. "Stay with me, my child. Everything will be fine, I promise."

Luciana's breathing was labored, each inhale a struggle. Sweat beaded her forehead, her body trembling from exhaustion and pain.

"Do you need anything? Water? Medicine?" Aurora asked urgently, her voice shaking.

The midwife intervened. "It is best she refrains from eating until the birth. It could harm both her and the baby."

Luciana barely managed to whisper. "Water…"

Another contraction struck, wracking her body with unbearable pain. She let out a raw scream, her fingers digging into the sheets.

The midwife, having completed her preparations, moved swiftly to assist her.

Aria stood frozen for a moment, watching as her sister's strength seemed to drain with every passing second. It was as if life itself was slipping from her grasp.

Yet, there was no time for fear.

Taking a deep breath, Aria stepped forward, ready to fight fate itself if it meant keeping her sister and the child alive.

But Aurora only forced her to step out of the birthing chambers.

"Sweet child please go inform Melody. But not everything." Aurora urged her.

And with that Aria stepped out of the chambers with one last glance at her sister who was at death's door.